Hai Collection, Middle Volume Radical: Fish (yú) Character: Jiao Kangxi strokes: 17 Page 1469, Entry 03 Pronounced jiao. According to the Shuowen Jiezi (Shuowen), a sea fish whose skin can be used to decorate knives. According to the Classic of Mountains and Seas (Shanhaijing), the Zhang River flows southeast into the Sui River, which contains many jiao fish; their skin can be used to decorate swords and knives. The commentary notes that the jiao is a type of fuyu (fù) fish. Its skin has pearl-like markings and is durable; its tail is three or four feet long and has a venomous end that can sting people. According to the Record of Extraordinary Things (Shuyiji), an old fish-tiger transforms into a jiao fish. According to the Comprehensive Elegance (Tongya), the jiao is the largest of the sea sharks. According to the Materia Medica (Bencao), Chen Cangqi says: The jiao fish comes from the South Sea. It resembles a soft-shelled turtle but lacks feet and possesses a tail. It is also called the sha fish and the fu fish. Li Shizhen mentions that some say the original character was different and became erroneously written as jiao. The jiao reaches about a zhang in length; its belly has two holes where it stores water to nurture its young. One belly can contain three or four young; in the morning they emerge from the mouth, and in the evening they return to the mother's belly. According to the Records of the Grand Historian (Shiji), Book of Rites: Jiao leather reins. The commentary by Xu Guang states that jiao fish skin can be used to decorate clothing and vessels. According to the Book of the Later Han (Hou Hanshu), Record of Carriages and Clothing: All used white pearls and jiao skin for mouth decorations. According to the Xunzi, Discussion on Warfare: The people of Chu used jiao leather, rhinoceros, and gaur skins to make armor. The commentary explains this refers to using jiao fish skin and the hides of rhinoceros and gaur to make armor. Also a government title. According to the Zuo Commentary (Zuo Zhuan), 20th Year of Duke Zhao: In the reeds of the marsh, the boat-jiao guarded it. The commentary explains that boat-jiao is the name of a government office. The sub-commentary states that jiao is the name of a large fish, and since there is water and fish in the marsh, this was used as the name for the government office. Also jiao-person. According to Zuo Si's Rhapsody on the Capital of Wu (Wu Du Fu): Inquiring of the spirit kui from the jiao-people. The commentary explains that jiao-people live in the water. According to the Record of Extraordinary Things (Shuyiji): Jiao-people live in the water like fish and do not cease weaving; when they weep, their tears turn into pearls.